MIDDLETOWN  The Middletown-area Appoquinink School District updated parents and staff regarding previous threats that brought lockdowns of all schools. The message read:

"The State Police have contacted the district with a reassuring update. After a thorough review of the situation:

• All schools EXCEPT Middletown High will go off lockdown and dismiss at their normal time.
• Middletown High will do a "staged" dismissal - bringing buses on campus to load in a staggered fashion in order to allow police to provide tight security. They will begin this process around 2:45 p.m.
• Some students will be late today. This could include some elementary runs who must drop off MHS students first.
• ALL afterschool activities for the Middletown High School Campus – including sports, clubs and adult education – have been cancelled.
• Activities at our other schools and campuses will continue as normal as the State Police have indicated that there is no threat to other campuses."

Earlier Thursday afternoon, the Appoquinimink School District issued the following announcement to parents and staff:

“Middletown High School has received a threatening call stating that an individual would attempt to bring a pipe bomb onto the campus. The school went into lockdown immediately and State Police were contacted. The police are now directing the response which includes a strong police presence in the area around our school. The situation is fluid. State Police have shared news that they received a call about an individual with a rifle in the community and are investigating. As a result ALL Appoquinimink Schools are now on lockdown, and will remain on lockdown until the State Police give us an all-clear.

"For the safety of all involved, buses and cars will not be allowed to enter or leave during the lockdown. We will contact you when an update is available.”